AFC Champions League: Lekhwiya 3-1 Pakhtakor

Doha April 03 (QNA) -: Qatar international Sebastian Soria scored two late goals as unbeaten Lekhwiya beat Uzbekistans Pakhtakor 3-1 on Wednesday to leapfrog the AFC Champions League ever-presents at the top of Group B. Issiar Dia set the Qatar champions on their way midway through the first half at Lekhwiya Stadium only for Gulom Urunov to pull Pakhtakor, who entered the match with a perfect record after posting wins over Ettifaq and Al Shabab Al Arabi, level before half-time. But Soria restored the home sides lead with six minutes remaining before the striker sealed Lekhwiyas second win in Group B with his third of the campaign in stoppage time as Eric Gerets side moved a point clear of the Uzbekistan champions at the top of the table with three games remaining. Dia opened the scoring with a fine solo goal after 21 minutes as the Senegal international created space for himself on the edge of the Pakhtakor penalty area before curling his effort into the far corner away from goalkeeper Temur Juraev and via the inside the upright. But Pakhtakor were back on levels terms before half-time as Urunov found the bottom corner with a rasping first-time drive at the second time of asking after the midfielders initial attempt had been blocked just outside the Lekhwiya area. Lekhwiya twice came close to regaining the lead at the start of the second half as a free-kick Korea Republic midfielder Nam Tee-hee struck the outside of the post before Juraev had to be on his toes to push away a stinging effort from Luiz Junior (Luiz Mairton Carlos J?nior). But with six minutes remaining Sorias header from Luiz Juniors back post cross looped perfectly over Juraev and nestled in the side netting.(QNA)